Abstract

Many studies have examined the association between the XRCC3 Thr241Met gene polymorphism
and lung cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent.
To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed. The PubMed,
Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI database was searched for case–control studies published
up to July 2012. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence
intervals (CI) were calculated.

Ultimately, 17 studies, comprising 4123 lung cancer cases and 5597 controls were included.
Overall, for T allele carriers (TC + TT) versus the wild-type homozygotes (CC), the
pooled OR was 0.95 (95% CI = 0.87-1.04 P = 0.228 for heterogeneity), for TT versus CC the pooled OR was 0.99 (95% CI = 0.86-1.15
P = 0.315 for heterogeneity). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, histological
types of lung cancer and smoking status, no any significantly risks were found for
(C/T + T/T) vs C/C or T/T vs C/C. No publication bias was found by using the funnel
plot and Egger's test.

Overall, there is no evidence showing a significant correlation between XRCC3 Thr241Met
polymorphism and lung cancer risk stratified analysis by ethnicity, histology and
smoking status.